Chapter 7 - The Breach
The front door of the suburban house splintered inward with a deafening crash as Marcus kicked it off its hinges.
“Federal! Stay down!” one of the operatives shouted, though they belonged to no government agency on earth.
Shouts and scuffling echoed from inside the hallway. Two men in tactical vests tried to reach for their sidearms, but Matteo’s men were faster, pinning them to the hardwood floor before they could even clear their holsters.
“Secure the rooms!” Matteo commanded, stepping into the foyer with his weapon drawn, keeping Liana safely shielded behind his broad shoulder.
“Clear!” a voice echoed from the kitchen.
“Clear upstairs!” another operative shouted.
Liana rushed past Matteo down the short hallway toward a small, warmly lit nursery at the end of the corridor. A terrified middle-aged foster mother stood frozen in the corner, clutching a toddler to her chest with wide, terrified eyes.
“Please... we didn't know anything about the syndicate,” the foster mother sobbed, trembling. “They just paid us to foster him! They said he was an orphan!”
Liana stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes locked onto the little boy in the woman’s arms.
He had dark, curly hair, bright inquisitive eyes, and a small, familiar crescent scar just above his right collarbone.
“Leo,” Liana whispered, her voice breaking into a sob of pure, unadulterated joy.
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She took a slow step forward, holding out her arms. The little boy tilted his head, looking at her with wide, trusting eyes, and instantly reached his tiny arms out toward her, babbling happily.
Liana rushed forward, gathering her son into her arms, burying her face in his soft hair as the tears poured freely down her cheeks. He was alive. He was healthy. He was finally back where he belonged.
